3.
ACTING EARLY: WHEN PEOPLE STILL HAVE A JOB
The challenge: lack of early intervention
New disability claims are among the highest in OECD
New claims per 1 000 of the working-age population (inflow rates), latest year available
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Source: OECD (2014), Mental Health and Work: United Kingdom, Paris: OECD Publishing.
OECD

4.
ACTING EARLY: WHEN PEOPLE STILL HAVE A JOB
Possible ways forward
Policy recommendations

Rigorous implementation of the new Health & Work service:
- Ensure good access for SMEs
- Sufficiently resourced with qualified staff
- Linkages with health sector e.g. with IAPT

Strengthen employer incentives: obligations and sanctions for noncompliance; co-financing of the Health & Work service

5.
ACTING EARLY: WHEN PEOPLE STILL HAVE A JOB
The challenge: Helping those struggling at work
Performance problems at work for those with a common mental disorder
Percentage of workers not absent in the past four weeks but who accomplished less than they would like as a result of
either an emotional or a physical health problem
2010
Average 2010
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Severe
Moderate
No mental
disorder
Severe
United Kingdom
Source: OECD (2014), Mental Health and Work: United Kingdom, Paris: OECD Publishing.
Moderate
Europe 21
No mental
disorder

6.
ACTING EARLY: WHEN PEOPLE STILL HAVE A JOB
Possible ways forward
Policy recommendations

Make Access to Work scheme widely available

Make better use of management tools and guidelines.

Extend HWS to those struggling at work

13.
CONCLUSIONS
•
Mental ill-health creates considerable labour market
disadvantage and very high costs for the economy
•
The UK system is in a good position in principle to tackle
mental health issues forcefully
•
A number of steps can be taken to improve outcomes
–
… related to ongoing welfare and labour market reforms that need
to deliver
–
… related to the integration of health and employment services
–
….turning good policies into action in a joined-up way